Progressive modular distributor

Abstract

A progressive modular distributor device for the division between a plurality of outlets of a lubricant fluid, said distributor including a first and a second base between which are sandwiched at least three distributor modules. The bases being interconnected by tie rods which pass through openings in the modules. A first surface of at least one of the modules presents at least one projecting part integral with the module. A second surface of a second of the modules, resting on the first, presents a corresponding housing in which the projecting part is inserted. The projecting part and the housing shaped to prevent reciprocal movement of the first and second module at least along an axis perpendicular to an axis of the tie rods when the projecting part is inserted in the housing.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A progressive modular distributor device for division of a lubricant fluid between a plurality of outlets, said distributor comprising:
 a first base and a second base between which said first base and said second base are sandwiched at least three distributor modules, the first and second bases being interconnected by tie rods; the tie rods each having at least a longitudinal axis, at least portions of said longitudinal axis passing through openings in each of said at least three modules, 
 each of said modules being provided with a first surface and a second surface arranged to couple respectively with second and first surfaces of other functionally identical modules, 
 said first and second surfaces presenting a plurality of surface holes arranged so, when two modules are rested with the second surface of the first module superimposed on the first surface of the second module, the surface holes of the first and the second surfaces create channels arranged for passage of the lubricant fluid between two rested modules, 
 each module comprising inside it at least one piston mobile between a first and a second limit position, and at least a first lubricant outlet and a second lubricant outlet, so, on movement of the piston into said first or said second limit position, the lubricant fluid is supplied through one of the outlets of the distributor, 
 each of said bases comprising at least a surface for coupling with one of the first or second surface of said modules, 
 said surface of the base defining a plurality of holes arranged so, when said surface of the base is superimposed with the first or the second surface of one of said modules, the surface holes of the first or second surface of the module and the base create channels arranged for passage of the lubricant fluid between the module and the base, 
 said first surface of at least one of said modules defining at least one projecting part integral with said module, and said second surface of an adjacent module resting on said first surface, and defining a housing corresponding with said projecting part, 
 said projecting part and said housing shaped to prevent reciprocal movement of said first and said second module along at least one axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tie rods when the projecting part is inserted in the housing, so, when said modules and said bases are assembled together by means of the tie rods, coupling on a plane between the first and second surfaces of said modules and said bases is achievable, and 
 said projecting part and said housing of each module and base being configured to center said modules and bases relative to each other when assembled together, 
 wherein each said housing comprises a recess, wherein all the modules and the bases have said housings and projecting parts, at least at the surfaces reciprocally resting between them, wherein said projecting part of each module and base are configured to nest with the housing recess of the adjacent module or base to prevent relative lateral movement between the assembled modules and bases, 
 wherein each said module is provided with opposed lateral edges and each said module is provided with opposed transverse edges perpendicular to said lateral edges, 
 wherein said projecting part of each module and base are configured to nest with the housing recess of the adjacent module or base to prevent relative lateral movement in a lateral direction between the assembled modules and bases and prevent transverse movement in a direction perpendicular to the lateral direction between a mated position when the modules are centered and an extracted position that crosses more than one transverse edge of the module. 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said housings and projecting parts are configured to prevent reciprocal movement of the first and the second module in all directions on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tie rods, or to allow reciprocal movement of the first and second module on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tie rods solely in the extraction direction. 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein each module has at least first and second housings and at least first and second projecting parts and wherein said first and second housings and said first and second projecting parts are arranged at the lateral edges of each of said modules. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein each module has at least two housings and two projecting parts and wherein said housings and said projecting parts are arranged at the lateral edges of each of said modules. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said housings and said projecting parts have a shape selected from the group consisting of a semi-circular and/or arced cross-section, and a rectangular cross-section with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tie rods, wherein each projecting part and housing of each module and base is located at a center portion of each respective surface of each module and base. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said openings in the modules for passage of the tie rods are through-holes. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said openings have a U-shaped configuration and are open at one side of each module, to allow, following loosening of said tie rods, extraction of any module for the module's replacement, maintaining the rest of the device assembled. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the holes creating said channels house O-rings which allow sealed passage of the lubricant fluid from one module to another. 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein each module has a further first or second outlet arranged on a different side of the module with respect to the side of the module where said first and second outlets are located. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least three distributor modules comprise four distributor modules. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10 , wherein at least portions of said longitudinal axis of the tie rods passes through each of said four distributor modules. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one end of the tie rods are screwed into one of the bases. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the U-shaped openings are provided on only one side of each module. 
     
     
       14. The device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the projecting part, to center said modules and bases relative to each other when assembled together each module, is provided on one connecting surface and the housing recess in the opposite connecting surface, 
 wherein each base is provided either with a projecting part provided on the connecting surface or the recess provided in the connecting surface, and 
 wherein the projecting part of each module or base is configured to nest within the recess of each adjacent module or base to align and connect the bases and the one or more modules together and to prevent lateral movement between the bases and the one or more modules relative to a length of the distributor device. 
 
     
     
       15. The distributor device of  claim 3 , wherein each said module is provided with opposed first and second transverse edges perpendicular to said lateral edges, and further comprises a third said housing on the first transverse edge of the first surface and a third projecting part on the first transverse edge of the second surface. 
     
     
       16. The distributor device of  claim 14 , wherein each projecting part is provided with opposite sides configured to contact with opposite sides of each recess when assembled together. 
     
     
       17. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein each module has a first said housing and a second housing for respectively mating with a first projecting part and a second projecting part, the first said housing spaced from the second spaced housing, the first projecting part spaced from the second spaced projecting part. 
     
     
       18. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one projecting part integral with said module, and said housing corresponding with said projecting part are adapted and configured such that movement of the module is possible only when the tie rods are not fastened. 
     
     
       19. A progressive modular distributor device comprising:
 a first base having a connecting surface; 
 a second base having a connecting surface; 
 one or more modules located between the first base and second base when the one or more modules and bases are assembled together, each module being provided with connecting surfaces located on opposite sides thereof; and 
 at least one piston disposed within each module and movable between a first limit position and a second limit position so that upon movement of the piston into the first limit position or the second limit position lubricant fluid is selectively supplied to outlets of the distributor device, 
 a plurality of tie rods connecting together the first base, the second base, and the one or more modules when assembled together, 
 wherein the connecting surface or surfaces of each base and each module comprises a plurality of surface holes arranged so that when the bases and the one or more modules are assembled together the surface holes are superimposed relative to each other to create channels arranged for passage of the lubricant fluid between the bases and the one or more modules, 
 wherein each module is provided with a projecting part on one connecting surface and a recess provide in the opposite connecting surface, 
 wherein each base is provided either with a projecting part provided on the connecting surface or a recess provided in the connecting surface, and 
 wherein the projecting part of each module or base is configured to nest within the recess of each adjacent module or base to align and connect the bases and the one or more modules together and to prevent lateral movement between the bases and the one or more modules relative to a length of the distributor device, 
 wherein each said housing comprises a recess, wherein all the modules and the bases have said housings and projecting parts, at least at the surfaces reciprocally resting between them, wherein said projecting part of each module and base are configured to nest with the housing recess of the adjacent module or base to prevent relative lateral movement between the assembled modules and bases, 
 wherein each said module is provided with opposed lateral edges and each said module is provided with opposed transverse edges perpendicular to said lateral edges, 
 wherein said projecting part of each module and base are configured to nest with the housing recess of the adjacent module or base to prevent relative lateral movement in a lateral direction between the assembled modules and bases and prevent transverse movement in a direction perpendicular to the lateral direction between a mated position when the modules are centered and an extracted position that crosses more than one transverse edge of the module. 
 
     
     
       20. The distributor device of  claim 19 , wherein the projecting parts and recesses of the modules and bases are configured to center each adjacent module and base when assembled together. 
     
     
       21. The distributor device of  claim 20 , wherein each projecting part is provided with opposite sides configured to contact with opposite sides of each recess when assembled together. 
     
     
       22. The distributor device of  claim 19 , wherein each module has at least first and second housings and at least first and second projecting parts and wherein said first and second housings and said first and second projecting parts are arranged at the lateral edges of each of said modules.